R.I.P Engine. What to do next? Help appreciated.

[Jackpilk]

Driving home on the motorway I lost all power so hazards on and pulled into the hard shoulder, I've heard one to many horror stories about cam belts giving up so all that was going through my head was that the cam belts gone. The belts looked fine and I continued to see If I could spot the problem before spinning the engine, I then noticed an oil leak from the after market oil filter which was strange, so removing the filter I could see that the oil was coming from the throttle body, by now nothing was making sense until I opened the butterfly and saw what seems to be the leftovers of a valve.

I'm aware I'l be needing a new engine, but what are the options of getting around this?

Has anyone else been in this situation?

All help welcome

 

[MicKPM]

Unlucky bruva!

Yep, i've seen this a few times now; has she been sounding "tappy" and dephaser like recently? Bar rebuilding it there's not much you can do matey.... it will need valves, a piston, the crank will need inspecting, timing belt replacing and possibly exhaust pulley/cam if its spun badly... really not worth it if you ask me. Replace the basic cylinder head & block assembly with the lowest mileage unit you can find and have it fitted by a local garage/specialist. Whilst this is being done have the crankshaft oil seals checked, timing belt changed and fit a new clutch whilst you're at it. Costs go up but peace of mind knowing its all good is worth it.

Mick

 

[Jackpilk]

Cheers for the reply Mick. The engine has been sounding fine with no funny/ tappy noises as I look after it religiously and would spot anything out of place which is why it's come as shock to me. I think I'l have another engine put in with new belts etc as you said.

 

[Joe R26]

This seems to be a fairly common problem with these cars. What mileage had it done?

 

[Jackpilk]

Only 44,000 . Completely unexpected!

 

[Michael Woodford MST]

What engine is this. Id be surprised if you could see a valve in a 1*2 engine through the throttle body?

 

[MicKPM]

Mike, the F4R has a not overly common issue (thankfully) of dropping inlet valves. I've personally done a couple and the result is not nice and bits of valve do make it into the inlet.

I'll dig out some pictures for you of the last one when i get home.

Mick

 

[Jackpilk]

Mick what do you reckon has caused it to drop a valve? Do the de-phasers just let go? The timing belts all in place from what I can see.

 

[Dan519]

the valves are 2 pieces, friction welded together. It's not that uncommon, but it does seem to happen more to people who like to use (abuse) the rev limiter

this is one Steve at Birchdown sent me a while back

 

[Jackpilk]

Ouch. Can guarantee that's what mine will look like. I'd just done a 100 mile trip coming back from Cornwall sitting at spot on 70 with cruise control on and it just died on me. Could it have been weakening over time and it eventually just gave up?

 

[MicKPM]

If there's signs of valve in the inlet behind the throttle plate then your engine is done mate. Pull the head and marvel at the utter destruction.

 

[Jackpilk]

Head will be coming off Monday. I've got another engine lined up , just need a new belt kit and It's ready to swap over. How long is an engine swap on a 1*2? I'm guessing you've done a few?

 

[Dan519]

I tend to take my time and spend a day taking it apart and finding all the things that need renewing, then a day putting it all back. It's only a few hours each way, but you can usually find plenty to do while it's out on the floor

 

[Tony Hunter]

I tend to take my time and spend a day taking it apart and finding all the things that need renewing, then a day putting it all back. It's only a few hours each way, but you can usually find plenty to do while it's out on the floor

As Danny say's,take a good look around in there at steering rack,air can pipes,earth straps,wires,as its so much easier to do things while its all out.

 

[Silent_Scone]

Valve in my inlet, and other incredible tales. My new ones a bit head tappy, cheers for that Mick lol .500 quid give or take from breakers, yours sounds pretty funked!

 

[MicKPM]

Tappy engines occur for a number of reasons buddy so dont panick but i would get it diagnosed cos the F4R isnt supposed to sound like a sowing machine.

 

[Tony Hunter]

Ours sounded a bit tappy,then this.

 

[MicKPM]

Thats a minor strainer blockage you got there Tony! lol

 

[Jackpilk]

So far on my list to get:

- Cambelt kit + Plug + Aux belt
- Oil + Filter
- Coolant
- Clutch ( no idea which brand but I'l do my homework )

Is a new water pump worth getting? Anything else I'd need to speed the process up?

 

[Tony Hunter]

Thats a minor strainer blockage you got there Tony! lol

You should see the state of the conrod

 

[JackJack]

I would do the water pump while it's all out mate. Make sure you get a full aux belt kit inc. tensioner not just the belt. Also Valeo clutch kit.

 

[Jackpilk]

Thanks Jack. Is there any need in changing the dephayser?

 

[JackJack]

I would mate especially if you don't know the condition as if you don't and it fails you will need to do the cambelt kit etc again.

 

[GiT]

It's like Daves Farm in here! Ouchy!

 

[Jackpilk]

Could of gotten some throttle bodies for the price of this replacement.

 

[bmh.01]

Valeo clutch only.

 

[BRT Motorsport]

i have just had the same problem

 

[marinemackay2003]

get some cams in whilst its out

lets be honest if you want them later its going to cost another belt ect, worth doing imo

 

[Jackpilk]

Update:
.
Got an engine from my old town of Bideford. £300 for the engine (without ancillaries) which also came with the 4-2-1 Manifold, which will be going on Ebay.

Also got a cup spoiler for a tenner!

 

[marinemackay2003]

who did you get the engine from in bideford?

 

[JackJack]

+1 on the cams.

 

[Jackpilk]

Got the engine from South West Metals scrap yard. Cams are a good shout, they did cross my mind once or twice.

 

[Ralphizzle]

Ohw my the horror...

So Jack you sorted now?

 

[BRT Motorsport]

 

[JackJack]

Not nice.

 

[Dan1587]

I'm worried now, i'm a revver

 

[BRT Motorsport]

as said on other threads no noise when it went wrong just went off a cylinder, well as you can see by the pics it is well and truly of a cylinder
have heard quite a lot of people sayng to change the valves, if engine is getting revved

 

[Jackpilk]

Ohw my the horror...

So Jack you sorted now?

Not quite, My little sister isn't well at the moment but things are moving on slowly with the car..

Found out that a BG 182 got handed in at my old local scrappy so got the engine out of it as it only had 51k miles, got the 4-2-1 Manifold with it too

Also while I was there I picked up a few things.. CUP spoiler (£10) , All dash trims (£5) , door bullets (£5) .. All to sell on at a profit of course.

 

[Jackpilk]

Apologies for the poor quality, just a before and after spruce.



Valeo Clutch is on it's way so that along with the box will be fitted when it arrives then a new set of belts + pulleys etc to follow.

I'm aiming for 2 weeks before its back on the road but with problems at home it may take a while longer, but I'l keep it updated on here.